Monday, October 31, 2011

Admit it. You love watching “Hoarders,” “Enough Already!” and all the other organizing shows that take people’s massive amounts of clutter, drop kicks it to the curb and creates a wonderfully organized home.

Who doesn’t? We all love a good makeover and sometimes these shows present homes that are the train wreck that we just can’t look away from.

Did you know that we have someone in our area that can help you accomplish the same makeover feeling – minus the train wreck – in your own home? 7th Street Business Association member Melinda Massie and her business, Organizing with a Side of Fabulous can do just that without putting everything out on your front lawn for the world to see. After years in the ballroom dance and event planning industries, Melinda is putting her style and meticulous organizational skills to work in client homes all over North Texas and was recently named Best Personal Organizer 2011 by Fort Worth, Texas Magazine. If your home is, as she puts it, a “hot mess” then she will help you take control over your clutter, organize your home and teach you new habits so that it will stay organized.

We recently spoke with Melinda to ask her how becoming organized benefits everyone.

“My clients’ homes range from a couple of neglected problem areas to whole house clutter issues,” Melinda says. “They are all also across the board when it comes to budget. I may be working with Payless Shoes one day and Prada the next. Organizational issues don’t discriminate.”

Among all of the individual benefits that comes with getting organized, she gave us five major benefits that are universal to everyone – space, time, money, energy and mental health.

Space – When you keep what you need, discard what you don’t and consciously organize what you’re keeping in a way that works well, you will find that you gain useful space in your home. Melinda sees a lot of homes that have poorly or awkwardly designed storage. With a little tweaking and creative vision, she makes these awkward spaces work.

Time - When everything in your home has a place where it belongs, you save much time because you aren’t continually hunting for what you need.

Money – Melinda tells us that money is lost in a disorganized home in a number of different ways. “You may lose money because you can’t find the bills, pay them late and end up paying late fees that could have been avoided. Same goes for parking tickets. I’ve found many uncashed checks, unused gift cards and cash hidden in drawers and other areas,” she says. There can also be a problem of purchasing items you already own because you can’t find them when you need them. “If you can’t find something, you purchase it again only to find what you needed later after you have already spent that money. I see this all the time as I work through pantries. A client recently told me that after our work together, cleaning out her pantry coupled with my tips saved her over $150 on her next grocery trip.”

Energy - You don’t waste energy looking for what you need when you know where it is. Every little bit of saved energy can then be put to better use where you want or need it – socializing, relaxing, time with family and friends, and focus at work.

Mental health – Melinda tells us that being disorganized drags us down emotionally in so many ways. “Most disorganized and cluttered people have nonstop mental chatter about it. The nagging every time they walk into a home that doesn’t welcome them. The guilt. ‘Why am I having a good time, going out, watching this movie or any other activity when I should be cleaning my clutter?’ The overwhelm of not knowing where to start. The ‘doorbell dread.’ Fear of someone coming over unexpectedly and seeing everything in such disarray. This also ties in with the energy we lose from clutter. All that mental chatter sucks at your energy. Most clients find they’ve spent way more time telling themselves to do it than it actually took to do it.” She also said that clutter can exasperate mental conditions such as depression. “Depression can be a cause in clutter and clutter contributes to the depression. It can be a vicious circle. However, when you’re ready to deal with the clutter, it becomes easier with help.”

Do these benefits sound good to you? If you and your home need some clutter control then let Melinda Massie and Organizing with a Side of Fabulous help you take charge of your clutter and reclaim your house!

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Back-to-school is just around the corner, which means it's time for TAX FREE weekend, here in Texas! Two of our favorite Visit7th retailers, Dean-Kingston and Bess & Evie's Vintage, are offering special discounts in addition to tax-free savings.

The law exempts most clothing and footwear priced under $100 from sales and use taxes. Follow the link for more information on Sales Tax Holiday, which includes a listing of tax-free and taxed items for the weekend of August 19-21, 2011.

Next Meetings:
The Board Meeting: Wednesday, September 7, 2:30-3:30 @ American National Bank
The General Meeting: Wednesday, September 21, 4:00-5:30 @ American National Bank

"What you see depends on what you're looking for." - unknown source

The 7th Street Business Association is a collective of local businesses in the 7th Street district in Fort Worth.Visit 7th is the face of the 7th Street Business Association. We are a non-profit community organization that provides members with a viable organization to deal with political and civil issues, to address public safety and parking issues, and to pool resources in order to market, maximize awareness, and reach the full potential of the West 7th Street area of Fort Worth. The Association membership is open to all businesses within the borders of the Trinity River, Lancaster, Montgomery and White Settlement Roads. Membership includes meetings, mixers, networking functions, events, and marketing via the media channels under the Visit 7th brand. Once you become a member, we will promote your business for the year on visit7th.com, and on the Facebook and Twitter channels. you will also benefit from any advertising we do throughout the year. If membership is something that interests you then please feel free to contact us, and you will be on your way to becoming a member! We are looking forward to hearing from you!

Monday, August 8, 2011

This Wednesday evening at 5:30 Sundt Construction Inc. of San Antonio will be at Capital Bar to discuss the reconstruction of the Seventh Street Bridge. The 7th Street Business Association is sponsoring the discussion but it will be open to the public for all local businesses that are curious how the bridge construction will affect them.

Estimated completion for the project is Fall of 2013. It is being redesigned to serve the increased vehicular traffic between downtown and our district. It also will provide more space for pedestrians and alternative modes of transit in the future.

Please Join us at 5:30 pm Wednesday August 10th at Capital Bar for this forum with Sundt Construction. You can RSVP for this event on our Facebook page: Visit7th Facebook Event

Killer event going on this Saturday with the Hoot & Hollar II. $20 VIP access gets you FREE BEER all day, or $5 for the standard admission. The parking lot will be tented off and cooled with The Hanna Barbarians headlining!

Don't forget members, tonight is our general membership & mixer with the Cultural District Association! If you are not currently a member of the 7th Street Business Association and would like additional information on how to join please send us an email at info@visit7th.com!

Greetings and Good Afternoon 7th St Business Association,

Earlier this month the 7th St Business Association was approached by the Cultural District Alliance (CDA) and invited to participate in a mixer; adjoining the two organizations in a fun and enjoyable atmosphere to network and mingle; while learning about one another. Therefore, we proudly support the efforts to join forces when necessary in addressing the interests of our community and your goals. Please check your availability to join your fellow 7th St Business Association members with our new friends of 7th Street, The Cultural District Alliance, for the next general meeting and mixer.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Music fans and their favorite musicians will be taking over our southwest corridor for the conclusion of the 2011 Fort Worth Weekly Music Awards today (Sunday, July 10th). Of course, on 7th we are ready for that sort of party any day of the week. With diverse nominees including Fate Lions, D. Anson Brody, Fish Fry Bingo, Calhoun, Burning Hotels, Christa Russell, Scott Copeland, The Orbans, Pinkish Black, Rabbit's Got the Gun and the Hanna Barbarians, it will showcase just how far we have come in the Fort to define a music scene of our own.

Musicians and fans around Fort Worth have been waiting and speculating while the Fort Worth Weekly tabulated the 10,000 plus votes to determine who was the best of the best. Winners will be announced at a private awards ceremony held this afternoon at Piper Hall (3008 Bledsoe Ave) the new event space from the owners of Capital Bar. The ceremony will not just award winners in all the various categories. It also honors others like the legendary 2011 Academy Award Winner T Bone Burnett for his extraordinary body of work and contribution to the music world.

Come out tonight to celebrate with us, hear some killer live music and jams that are never to be duplicated on a stage again. Capital Bar will have the misters going on full blast to keep us all cool as the sun sets low. And take a few Ibuprofin and a full glass of water before you leave the house. You will thank us tomorrow morning.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Capital BarThe Social Media Club of Fort Worth members are having an informal Tweetup Happy Hour at Capital Bar tonight from 6-8pm to celebrate "Social Media Day". This is an open to the public event, no need to be a social media professional to come enjoy the evening.Happy Hour Specials are 4-8pm: $2 Domestics, $3.25 Imports, $3 Wells, $2 Off All Cocktails & WineLive Music Big Mike's Box of Rock: 9:30pm

Love ShackHappy Hour ALL NIGHT Half-Priced Margaritas!Live Music Will Hobbs

The Pour HouseHappy Hour 2-7pm $1.50 PBR, $2 Domestic Bottles & Wells
It's Hookah Night in the Garage. Lots of flavors to choose from, come and relax on the couches and enjoy some appetizers or items from the whole menu available on both sides of The PH.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Come join 95.9 The Ranch at the Capital Bar in Fort Worth June 25th for the Ranch Backyard Bash with The Derailers!!! The Ranch DJ's will be spinning your Texas Country Favorites from 5-9 before the Derailers so come on out and request your favorites.

Buy a Ranch Backyard Bash cup for $9.59 and get $1 draft at the Backhouse Bar and $3 party punch all night long.

Two burgers and two fries for $9.59 from Magnolia Motor Lounge's food window in the Backyard.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Il Cane Rosso at Times Ten Cellars

You don’t have to fly to Italy or cruise around the streets of Napoli on a Vespa if you seek an authentic Neapolitan style pizza. Heck, you don’t even have to drive down I-30 to Dallas. Just get yourself to Il Cane Rosso on Thursday nights in Fort Worth, Vespa optional.

Il Cane Rosso makes their pizzas not in a food truck but in an oven imported from Italy that’s mounted onto a custom trailer. It’s not just the oven that makes this pizza authentic Neapolitan style pizza, it’s also the quality of the ingredients. The dough contains special “double zero” flour along with sea salt, water, and yeast. The simplest of ingredients yields the tastiest of returns with a slightly crispy, thin crust that delivers a satisfying bite.

Take that first bite and you will also taste the quality of the toppings. Now, quality doesn’t come cheap so don’t expect dollar slices here. You may be eating from a food trailer but that doesn’t mean they have skimped on ingredients. We’re a long way from Domino’s when words like “hand crushed San Marzano tomatoes” and “hand pulled, made in house mozzarella” describe the ingredients. That’s what makes the pizza authentic and worth the price. Expect to pay $12-15 per pizza.

Food nerds will really enjoy watching the pizzas being made from start to finish. I had a little moment of childish excitement as I watched pizza dough being stretched and given a toss into the air. Once the toppings go on and the pie goes into the blazing hot oven it does not take long for the pizzas to be ready.

You’ll find this gem of a pizza trailer in Fort Worth on Thursday nights at Times Ten Cellars. Naturally a little vino should accompany your pizza – we went with a Malbec. A glass of wine will cost around $8, with some bottles starting at $18. If you’d like your pizza alfresco, I’d sit on the lovely side patio overlooking Foch Street. Otherwise enjoy your pizza in the elegant dining area or conversation niches at Times Ten.

We were overwhelmed by Il Cane Rosso’s many pizza choices, so we ended up letting the chef decide by choosing the special pizza of the evening. The combination of sausage, sopresatta, red onion, and basil held up nicely on the wood fired crust. Spicy toppings, silky mozzarella, and a firm crust – love at first bite!

Il Cane Rosso saves you the airfare to Italy by bringing you the most authentic Italian Pizza you’ll find in Fort Worth. Beyond all the details that make this an authentic Neapolitan style pizza the proof is in the bite – and there’s greatness in each one.

It's just a few days away... The Fort Worth Weekly is coming here and taking over our favorite places for the Awards Festival and Visit7th is READY for each and every one of you. Keep posted here this week with the listings of the bands and times along with specials from us! Can't wait to see your faces FORT WORTH!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

College finals have left you stressed? Is work bogging you down? Then it's time to make an appointment at Pure Bliss! This salon off West 7th Street in Fort Worth specializes in massage -- the cure for your throbbing head, sore shoulders and knotted back. From Swedish massages, to hot stone massages, to prenatal or couple massages, you are bound to find the right therapeutic treatment for you.

The moment you enter the salon, you instantly feel a sense of calm. The walls are painted in soft blue, lavender and green. The lights are dim (or off) in several of the massage rooms and the whole space is quiet. All ingredients for the perfect escape from the day's troubles. Pure Bliss' motto is, "It is the heart that understands and the hand that soothes," and you are sure to find a soothing hand here. The salon opened April 8, 2010 -- just over a year ago -- and Owner Thuy Nguyen says the overall experience of owning a business is going well. She says the West 7th area offers a laid-back atmosphere and the people are very nice. The young entrepreneur says she chose to open a massage business because she likes to help people and enjoys the instant gratification of having a client leave feeling better than they did when they arrived.
"It's very rewarding to know I did that and it helped," says Nguyen.

She says clients often remark, "That was the best massage ever!" They also say they feel lighter when they leave, almost like they are walking on air.

"We only do one thing, so we try to be the best," Nguyen says.

If you are in need of relaxation, then give Pure Bliss Massage a call. Your aching body will thank you.

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Pure Bliss is hiring for another licensed massage therapist, so if you or someone you know is interested in applying, contact Thuy Nguyen at 817-882-0925.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Reaching your First Anniversary when you own a small business is always a reason to celebrate. Kalen Ruiz of Bess & Evie's Vintage at 931 Foch Street is ready to do just that next Thursday, May 26th from 6:30-8:00pm. Plan on joining them and see why they made Fort Worth Texas Magazine's "Best Of" issue. Music will be provided by Brad Thompson.

Are you familiar yet with Bess & Evie's? As they say about themselves, "Bess & Evie's Vintage is the result of a lifelong dream of owner Kalen Ruiz to own a vintage store. Named after her grandmothers, Elizabeth (Bess) and Evelyn (Evie), the store opened in Fort Worth in May of 2010. Kalen graduated from Texas Christian University with a degree in Fashion Merchandising, and spent the majority of her career managing International Operations in the Merchandising Department at Pier 1 Imports. She loves to travel and seeks out local vintage stores in every city she visits. The next destination on her list is the legendary Paris Flea Market. Our vision for Bess & Evie's is to create a place for friends to hang out, try on fabulous clothes, have a glass of wine, and return often! We hope to see you soon!"

We are big fans of the legendary "Boot Wall" where if you don't have the time to break in your boots yourself get a pair ready to wear. Aside from their fabulous clothes their vintage hats, jewerly, and handbags are exquisite. Not just a store for woman, Bess & Evie's Vintage sports an impressive collection of the kind of vintage clothing for men you simply cannot find outside of Austin or NYC.

For Additional information about the party contact: Info@bessandevies.com

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

We’re having a party. A party for the people. A party for all our followers on our social media pages, our website, and the whole darn town. A party to celebrate you, the wonderful people that support our members businesses. A party Visit7th style.

We swiped the keys and are overtaking Capital Bar and The Backyard at Capital for the event. Thursday May 19th, 2011. 6pm til the end. There will be food, drink specials, live music, ...prizes, raffles and giveaways from our members to you!!!

So bring one friend or fifty of your nearest and dearest. This is a PUBLIC event. No requirement to get in but be over 21 years of age. Going to Colonial that day? Make us the 19th Hole. Looking forward to seeing your faces, VISIT7th NATION!!!

Live Music From Villain Vanguard at 9pm!

Giveaways Include:

Olympia Sports Supplements - FREE ONE HOUR consultation ($75 Value). It will include nutrition, diet, exercise, cardio, and weight lifting and all attendees will receive coupons for 10% off their first purchase

Pure Bliss Therapeutic Massage - 2 winners will $35 gift certificates for a relaxing massage and all attendees will receive $15 certificates off an our massage!

Moda Salon - A 60 Min Elemental Nature Massage

The Pour House - 4 winners will receive a $20 Gift Certificate for food and beverage

The Velvet Box - A $50 gift card and a copy of the Crave Fort Worth book, the ultimate guide to woman owned businesses in Fort Worth

Organizing with a Side of Fabulous - 2 Hours of Professional Organization Serivces, Clutter Consultation and Hot Spot Organization

Rose Marine Latino Film Festival - 2 Film Festival Passes, the Arts de la Rosa at the Rose Marine Theatre Documentary, a copy of "Pardon My Spanglish!" by Bill Santiago, a signed program from The Kiss of the Spiderwoman Cast members, a Kiss of the Spiderwoman wine glass and t-shirt

American National Bank - A workout bag with golf accessories, tees, hat, a sleeve of Titleist golf balls, and 1 Daily Grounds Pass for the Colonial Golf Tournament.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Dallas based Pegasus News has decided to find out, once and for all, what the public thinks is DFW's Ultimate Best establishments in the categories of Dining, Goods & Services, Drinks & Bars, and Arts & Entertainment.

Each one of the entries has previously won a best of contest from either Citysearch, D Magazine, Dallas Morning News, Dallas Observer, Dallas Voice, Fort Worth, Texas Magazine, Fort Worth Weekly, or WFAA-List.
We were especially pleased to see such a strong presence of Fort Worth businesses, and especially such a strong showing from our own 7th Street Business Association Members!

Now it is voting time. See what our members were nominated for and please give them the Vote Early Vote Often approach! Also there are a great many wonderful businesses not in our membership or district that deserve your love too.

You can vote up to once per day in each category. They will be taking votes until 11:59 p.m. on May 27 and will announce the Ultimate Best winners on June 1.